Global Medical Solutions Australia is delighted to announce that it is part of a $71.2 million Australian Precision Medicine Enterprise (APME) Project which has been awarded $23 million in Federal government grant funding under the Manufacturing Collaboration Stream of the Modern Manufacturing Initiative (MMI).
The MMI is a key element of the Australian Government’s Modern Manufacturing Strategy, which aims to help Australian manufacturers scale-up, compete internationally and create jobs. The Manufacturing Collaboration Stream, one of three MMI funding streams, provides funding for a small number of large, transformational projects.
The Australian Precision Medicine Enterprise (APME) Project brings together industry partners Global Medical Solutions Australia (GMSA) and Telix Pharmaceuticals with Monash University to address the Good Manufacturing Practice (GMP) manufacturing gap in the Australian radiopharmaceuticals manufacturing sector. Australia has a long-term problem securing medicines and we have witnessed the impact of this in COVID-19 vaccination supply delays and disruptions.
The project will support large-scale innovative development and manufacturing of precision medicines and theranostics for the Australian and Asia Pacific markets, with business-to-business and business-to-research collaboration (University and Industry) at its core. The APME aims to be a state-of-the-art and region-leading contract development and manufacturing organization (CDMO) facility, featuring a PET cyclotron as well as a high-energy 30MeV cyclotron and multiple production clean rooms. The APME will focus on production of theranostics, therapeutic and diagnostic radioisotopes for both PET and SPECT applications. The APME will manufacture for the entire life-cycle of a product, from pre-clinical to clinical trials, and commercial manufacturing of radiopharmaceuticals.
At the heart of APME’s vision is the fit-out and build of a high energy cyclotron, which will be the source of critical radioisotopes currently imported into Australia. The APME will be strategically co-located at the Monash Innovation Precinct, which includes Monash Biomedical Imaging Centre, BrainPark, the Victorian Heart Hospital and the Australian Synchrotron. The co-location of healthcare, industry and research partners promises to promote a further level of collaboration, create jobs, export opportunities, secure Australia’s medical supply chain and accelerate the speed at which patients benefit from innovation.
Moreover, APME will add to Australia’s stock of human capital in STEM, train high-value engineers and scientists, add to Australia’s R&D production (including supporting late-stage clinical trials), and help attract the best and brightest workers to Melbourne and Australia.
The APME project partners have committed to $41.2 million over the three-year project period. Global Medical Solutions Australia (GMSA) is contributing $25 million, Telix Pharmaceuticals $5 million and Monash University, $11.2 million.
Monash University President and Vice-Chancellor Professor Margaret Gardner AC continued: “The establishment of the APME is a key asset for the future of innovative medicines manufacturing. The APME is vital for Australia to have a sovereign capability to manufacture and commercialise clinically essential radiopharmaceuticals as well as new theranostic drugs for cancer treatments.”
“GMS is proud to partner with Monash and Telix to develop and operate the state-of-the-art APME. We’d like to thank all of the Australian Federal Government stakeholders in recognising the importance of the APME and we are thankful for their grant contributions which allowed the APME to become a reality. There’s no better country in which to build the APME and we firmly believe the APME will both address supply security concerns for Australia as well as accelerate Australia’s rise as the premier destination as a regional biotech hub. We are excited to continue to expand our CDMO services for the fast-growing theranostics sector” said Shahe Bagerdjian, Senior Vice President of Operations and Business Development for Global Medical Solutions.
CEO of Telix Asia Pacific, Dr. David N. Cade stated, “Australia is a leading innovator in terms of clinical development and isotope supply for nuclear medicine, which was recently included in the Australian Government’s list of critical technologies in the national interest. However, there remains a significant need to achieve sovereign isotope and drug product manufacturing capabilities suitable for the future of the industry, both commercially and academically. Telix is pleased to contribute to the creation of a piece of key infrastructure to enable the production of radiopharmaceuticals for the Asia Pacific region. We would like to thank the Australian Federal Government for funding, and our partners GMSA and Monash University for collaborating on such a high-quality proposal.”
About Global Medical Solutions, Ltd.
Global Medical Solutions, Ltd. (GMS) is a leading-edge operator of centralized radiopharmacies and manufacturer & distributor of diagnostic & therapeutic radiopharmaceuticals and related equipment, accessories, and services. GMS has businesses in Armenia, Australia, Brazil, China, Hong Kong, Macau, Myanmar, New Zealand, Philippines, Russia, Taiwan, Thailand, and Vietnam and distributes products to over 25 countries. GMS’s diversified and vertically integrated businesses include SPECT radiopharmacies, PET Cyclotron pharmacies, I-131 manufacturing centers, cold kit manufacturing plant, medical device manufacturing plants, nuclear medicine imaging centers, radiology products & equipment, and engineering services. GMS recently entered a joint-venture to manufacture and distribute Mo99-Tc-99m Generators in Asia-Pacific. Please visit our website for more information.
GMS ContactShahe Bagerdjian
Senior Vice President, Operations & Business Development
+1-213-221-9929
sbagerdjian@globalmedicalsolutions.com
About Monash University
Monash University is Australia’s largest university and a global leader in pharmacy and pharmacology. As a modern, global, research-intensive university, Monash delivers education and research excellence in Australia and across the Indo-Pacific. With a presence on three continents, international partnerships and study abroad programs around the globe, we are making a positive impact on today’s global challenges – whether that’s by mitigating climate change, easing geopolitical insecurity or fostering healthy communities.
Monash has a long history of building alliances between industry and academia to deliver clinical impact. Monash has developed and operates a suite of research platforms that enable industry and academia to access state of the art equipment to further advance the development of precision medicines. This is coupled with a strong track record of technology transfer and spin out companies that has brought economic impact to Victoria.
Monash University Contact
Director, Monash Biomedical Imaging
Tel: +61 3 9902 9750
Email: gary.egan@monash.edu
About Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
Telix is a biopharmaceutical company focused on the development and commercialisation of diagnostic and therapeutic products using Molecularly Targeted Radiation (MTR). Telix is headquartered in Melbourne, Australia with international operations in Belgium, Switzerland, Japan, and the United States. Telix is developing a portfolio of clinical-stage products that address significant unmet medical need in oncology and rare diseases. Telix is listed on the Australian Securities Exchange (ASX: TLX). For more information visit www.telixpharma.com and follow Telix on Twitter (@TelixPharma) and LinkedIn.
Telix’s lead product, Illuccix® (kit for preparation of gallium-68 (68Ga) gozetotide (also known as 68Ga PSMA-11) injection) for prostate cancer imaging, has been approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA),[1] and by the Australian Therapeutic Goods Administration (TGA).[2] Telix is also progressing marketing authorisation applications for this investigational candidate in Europe[3] and Canada.[4]
Telix Investor Relations
Telix Pharmaceuticals Limited
SVP Corporate Communications and Investor Relations
Email: kyahn.williamson@telixpharma.com
[1] Telix ASX disclosure 20 December 2021.
[2] Telix ASX disclosure 2 November 2021.
[3] Telix ASX disclosure 10 December 2021.
[4] Telix ASX disclosure 16 December 2020.
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